14 June
1857 - At a
prayer circle of the First Presidency and apostles, Brigham Young refuses to
seal three young girls (ages 12 and 13) to "Father James Allred" (age
73) because they "would not be equally yoked together" in marriage.
1896 William
Brown was arraigned charged with attempted sodomy A B Hayes was appointed to defend the prisoner. After consultation, a plea of guilty was entered and the defendant was sentenced to nine months in the penitentiary.
Salt Lake Herald
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| Brigham Y. Hampton |
1900 - First Presidency and apostles agree to give $3,600 to
Brigham Y. Hampton for his prior "detective work" in which he paid a
prostitute to allow him and nearly thirty LDS "Home Missionaries" and
policemen to spy on anti-Mormons engaging in sex acts in Salt Lake City brothels in 1885. Although
first counselor denies it at this meeting, in private meetings of First
Presidency George Q. Cannon refers to Hampton 's
brothel work as "services rendered the Church" and "work in
behalf of the Church." Hampton has been set
apart as a Salt Lake
1965 Monday- District Attorney Roland Anderson said, the state
intends to call “2 or 3 more witnesses possibly 4 in the 1st degree murder
trial of Gary Horning and Leon Dyer for the murder of George Moriarty. Friday
the district attorney said the state basically had completed the presentation
of the states case except for the introduction into evidence the statements of
the defendants. Moriarty’s nude body was found frozen the morning of January 2,
1965 at the side of a country road near the mouth of North Ogden
Canyon Col.
8)
 |
| George Moriarity |
 |
| Allan Howe |
1976- Utah 2nd District
Congressman Allan Howe Democrat
arrested in Salt Lake City
for soliciting an undercover police decoy for sex on 2nd South and 600 West. Allan Turner Howe (1927 - 2000) was a
politician from the state of Utah .
Howe was born near Murray , Utah
and he graduated from the University
of Utah
 |
| Corner of 2nd South and 600 West |
1977 Tuesday For some years now, a parked car on West 2nd
South with or without tail lights on was a sign that prostitutes were working.
And Salt Lake City Police Chief E.L. Bud Willoughby asked city commissioners to
put in a plan he believes will work better than previous methods of controlling
prostitutes in the area. Just don’t let them park. Previously the police have
tried venereal disease holds, loitering arrests, and decoys with only modest
success, the chief noted. So commissioners agreed, “no parking signs” will be
put up near 5th West and 2nd South. (06/15/77 SLTribune
page B1)
1978-An
application to register Gayweek magazine's name was denied by the US Patent
office on the grounds that it was immoral.
1979-Thursday The first meeting of The Stonewall Club was held at
The Comeback Club. in Salt Lake City. The Stonewall Club founded by Bob Waldrop as a vehicle for Gay political
action. Following meetings were held every Wednesday at Denny’s Restaurant on North Temple for those too young to get into a bar.
 |
| Marty Shook |
1982 - Marty James Shook, a 21-year-old hitchhiker,
was killed execution-style. Shook
hitchhiked out of Sparks ,
Nev. Daniels Canyon
1985- TWA flight
847 was hijacked by Lebanese terrorists. When the hostages returned to the US , two Gay lovers who had been on the plane,
Victor Amburgy and Jack McCarty of San
Francisco , walked arm in arm for their official
greeting by President and Mrs. Reagan.Posed as brothers
1986-Saturday and
Sunday- Restoration Church ’s Conference in Los Angeles with the Salt Lake Branch meeting
at Bishop Bob McIntier’s home. In attendance were Mike Howard, Mike Pipkim,
Morgan Smith, Mark LaMarr and Ben Williams. Revelations added to the Hidden
Truth and Treasures.
 |
| Antonio A Feliz |
1987- Tony Feliz was voted out of office of Presidency of the Restoration Church
at their General Conference in California .
Bob McIntier was sustained as the new President of the Restoration Church of
Jesus Christ. “Ran into Bob McIntier at
the SL Central Library and we talked for a while and I got the dope on
what happened in the Restoration
Church’s Conference in Sacramento, California.
Tony Feliz was voted out of the first Presidency and has since resigned from the church altogether. Only four people still sustain his as a
prophet, including Michael Howard, Sandra McDonald, and Jon Butler. Bob said that at the Conference, Tony was
stonewalling and dragging out everything so finally Stan Dickie stood up and
said ‘Why don’t you shut up so we can vote on proposal 14-A so we can get you
the hell out and we can get on with the conference!’ Tony was shocked when
members cheered Stan so a vote was taken and Tony was kicked out. Bob McIntier,
Pamela Calkins, and Randall Lorenz were sustained as Temporary Presiding
Presidents of the Restoration
Church Restoration Church
- Antonio A. Feliz is the founder and was the first president of the Restoration Church of Jesus Christ, a denomination in the Latter Day Saint movement that was founded to serve the spiritual needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and intersexual Latter Day Saints. Prior to the founding of the Restoration Church of Jesus Christ, Feliz was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Feliz was a high priest in the church and had served as a bishop and a temple sealer. During the 1970s, Feliz was employed by the LDS Church as the Director of Church Welfare for the Andean Region of the church. In the early 1980s, Feliz was employed at Park College in Parkville, Missouri, which at the time was affiliated with the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now Community of Christ). On August 23, 1985, Feliz — who had been excommunicated from the LDS Church for his homosexual activities — and five other members of the Los Angeles chapter of Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons founded the Church of Jesus Christ of All Latter-day Saints, which was later renamed the Restoration Church of Jesus Christ. Feliz served as the first president of the church for only eight months, when he was ousted for making changes to the church without the consent of its members. Feliz is the author of several books, most dealing with LGBT issues and spirituality. He is one of two founders of GALA (Gay and Lesbian Acceptance), an LGBT support group associated with the Community of Christ, another Latter Day Saint denomination.
1991 Tonight’s the Youth
Group’s Prom and Bobbie [Smith], Jimmy [Hamamoto], Todd [Bennett] and I went
along. We were all in various stages of Faerie Drag. The dance was fun but my energy
level was really down by 10 pm and I lost my right contact lens when it popped
out of my eye while doing the Time Warp. That’s $25 to replace it and I had
just gotten them yesterday. I don’t think the dance was as well attended as it
should have been but it was fun seeing people dressed in tuxedoes and gowns.
Debbie Rosenberg was in a full pink taffeta prom gown and did a number to
“everybody run the home coming queen’s got a gun.” For fun! Being at the dance was kind of melancholy for me because it reminded me of all
the dances that Unconditional Support use to hold at the Central City Community
Center and I thought about all the old faces gone. We went home by 11.”
[Jounral of Ben Williams]
1996 Salt Lake Tribune Political Views on Gay Issues by Utah
Congressional Candidates: Rocky
ANDERSON: Supports efforts to legalize same-sex marriages and believes
gay-straight student clubs have the same right to meet in local schools as any
other group, as provided under Equal Access Act. Favors extending federal
antidiscrimination law to cover sexual orientation.
Kelly ATKINSON: Opposes the formation of gay
clubs -- or any other controversial organizations -- as a threat to parental
control that would ultimately lead to voucher system. Favors antidiscrimination
protection for gays and lesbians. Opposes same-sex marriages.
Merrill COOK:
Opposes extending antidiscrimination language to cover sexual orientation; opposes
same-sex marriages and believes the authority to regulate clubs rests with
local school boards.
NEILSON: Opposes extending antidiscrimination language to
cover sexual orientation; opposes same-sex marriages and believes the authority
to regulate clubs rests with local school boards.
Chris CANNON: Opposes same-sex marriage.
Opposes gay clubs in high schools, but favors repeal of the federal Equal
Access Act to leave it to state and local governments. DRASCHIL: Opposes same-sex marriage.
Endorses Equal Access Act, believing Utah 's
ban on gay and lesbian clubs in high schools does not conflict with that law.
1998- Sunday Utah Pride Day
held at the City County Building in downtown Salt Lake. The 4th annual Pride Day Parade was recognized as an officially
sanctioned parade and one of the largest in Utah. A crowd of 15,000 people
attended Pride Day It was announced at Pride Day that Monique Predovich was hired to be the new director of the Gay
and Lesbian Community Center of Utah.
- Utah’s
Pride Day ’98 was held on June 14 again at the City-County Building in
downtown Salt Lake City. Jeff Freedman and Carrie Gaylor were this years’ Pride Day Chairs having served three consecutive terms as co-chairs bringing continuity and stability to the organization. Bruce Harmon and Bruce Barton also served again as Pride Parade Chairs. The now annual Pride Day Parade was recognized this year as an officially sanctioned parade and one of the largest in Utah. The Grand Marshals of the parade and keynote speakers were Debra Burrington and Charlene Orchard of the Utah Chapter of the Human Rights Campaign. The 1998 Dr. Kristen Ries Award was presented to LaDonna Moore, former executive
Deb Burrington and Charlene Orchard
director of the Utah AIDS Foundation and a clinical social worker. Stand up comedienne Janine Gardner entertained an estimated at 15,000 people while Democratic Salt Lake County commission nominee Karen Crompton and volunteers from the campaign of Democratic congressional nominee Lily Eskelsen, joined the Utah Pride Day celebration in search of votes.
LaDonna Moore - 1998 Monday, Caption only: Parade promotes diversity, acceptance Participants in the annual Pride Day celebrations carry a large rainbow flag as they march down State Street Sunday. The parade and festivities are held each year to promote diversity and acceptance. The procession swelled to about 3,000 people who wound up partying at the Salt Lake City-County Building, where eventually an estimated 15,000 joined the celebration. "As time passes, more people come out," said Carrie Gayler, co-chair of the Gay Pride Committee. © 1999 Deseret News Publishing Co.
2002 Chad Keller Subject Water Ad: Jim, In selling the tons of left
over water....I was wondering if you could get me the graphic about the water
from the pride guide....? Let me know... Thanks! Chad PS.....to clarify so that
people don’t freak out....I my person at kinkos has donated some printing
work...each club that purchase water will get some free promotional items so we
can unload it...Perishables are the hardest to get rid of.... CK
- Sherry Booth Water Ad: Wonderful Pride committee ~Just to clarify for everyone - The water has a 2004 expiration date. We don't need to give it away. If we can sell some of the water, that would be great. But we need to be reasonable in what we sell it for. It also needs to be cleared through the EC before any water walks out the door. AS for the Pride Guides - Do not throw them away or recycle them or anything else until Craig [Miller] and the EC has had a chance to gather together what will be needed. We will send Pride Guides out to all of this year's sponsors as well as to those we are soliciting as sponsors/ vendors for next year. Billy [Lewis] and I will get back to you on Monday, 6/17 as to the date for the next Board/Committee meeting. We had a wonderfully, successful event and deserve the time to gloat a bit about it as well as to look at what could have been done better. As a heads up, we will be requesting something in writing giving us an outline of what should/could have been done better in your area. We will also be collecting all of your contacts, binders, information in order to put it together in a 2001/2002 Master Binder. You may give us originals or copies, but the desired result is to have a complete "How To" and "Who's Who" for future reference. Again - Thank you! We finally worked our way to a functional, supportive team. And it showed. I will share with each of you the many congratulatory notes and calls I have received on your behalf over the last week. Well done!! Sherry.
- Chad Keller to
Sherry Booth: Please get with Billy [Lewis}as soon as possible. I was give specific instruction by him to see
that we unloaded as much of this as possible, as soon as possible. I am working under his direction. From a
retail stand point while it says exp 2004, the labeling says 2002. Unless we
plan on relieving then it is a bad choice to let it sit. Had the labeling been done differently I
could see letting it sit, and am in agreement with Billy. Thanks!
- Sherry Booth: Pride Inventory: Chad [Keller} and Pride Board/Committee members, I agree the label on the water bottles says 2002 and therefore should be sold and used this year. As for just "unloading" it, that is not the direction I think we should take. I realize you have spoken with and been directed by Billy [Lewis], however, no one person on the EC should be making unilateral decisions - especially when it has a potential impact on us financially. I think Billy was understandably a bit panicked at the end of the festival looking at how many cases were left unsold. It was also suggested that we just toss out or recycle all of the Pride Guides immediately. Yet, they are a necessary marketing tool needed to be sent out with our "Thank you" letters to sponsors and vendors, as well as for soliciting sponsors and vendors for next year. Clearly we need to recoup our expenses as much as possible. But there are options. We need to look at what they are and act accordingly. You are, however, on the trail of a great idea. If the bars wish to purchase water from us for a reduced rate, that would be awesome. If UAF would like us to donate some of the water for their walk this weekend, that works too. Regardless of what ultimately happens to the bottled water & Pride Guides, it is a decision that needs to be made by more than one person in order to make sure nothing is being done without the support of others. My immediate suggestion is to get the Pride flag, banners, t-shirts, bottled water, Pride Guides, Art Easels, and everything else that is Pride's, into our storage unit that has been rented for exactly this purpose. We need to also do a complete inventory once everything is accounted for. We will need volunteers to accomplish the moving of the items and some committee/board members to do the accounting. Since the Art's Festival is starting up, I am thinking it needs to happen soon. I am available tonight or sometime this weekend. I have a truck. Perhaps Dominique [Storni] could use hers as well. Who is available and when? Respectfully, Sherry.
- Chad
Keller to Sherry Booth: Sherry, I want
to first thank you and for wasting my time this week on this issue. You, Billy
{lewis} and I stood there and had a discussion on the issue. You both told me to get to work, and get it
gone so that we did not need to move all that water a million times. I thought the directive from the two of you
was clear, don't loose money just get it gone, and try to turn a profit when I
do it. The fact is we spent several thousand on water, it was cold, it did not
sell, the money did not return to the account as expected; now it is time to
get at the least the minimum paid back into the account. That is retail. In the retail world, you do
not just throw something in the store room and say "it didn't meet
expectations this year; we will try again next year." It is a nice concept in the nonprofit world,
but death in the business World and we are business first, non profit second.
That is why Nordstrom has the Rack and companies like Meyer and Frank and
JCPenney take mark downs. I cringe when I see us giving last years and the
years before shirts away. Bad form. I by far have not gotten it all sold, and
figured that we would be donating some to UAF.
Yes we do need to take and inventory, but I think we are pretty sure
that we didn't sell a lot of water this year. Inventory does not draw interest,
only money does. Of course what would I
know about that.... As for the Pride Guide, please do not call me to task on
it, I have never mentioned it. I would
from a PR stand point say that it is a bad idea considering how poorly it was
edited and proofed. It is a work of art
as far as design. But that is your
choice, just remember the errors could have an negative impact no matter how
positively it is presented. It opens the
doors of scrutiny. Of course people gave
us money with the piece of crap sponsor packet we had....but that has more to
do with Craig's charm. What I take real offense to is the inconsistency of the
role of the EC. One minute you tell me to do it, then next you are ripping me
in an email in front of everyone. I also
find real ironic that this issue can be made by the EC but the EC can’t make a
call on a BBQ. Of course I have personal
feeling about the role and structuring of the EC and why the board is being
bumped from ultimate authority which I will keep to myself for now. I am tired
of trying, if you want to work with me them work with me. I am not one to sit
by and let time pass by. Strike when the
Iron is hot....while the commodity can still turn a profit, cause longer we
wait the greater the depreciation. Every
time I come to you or
- Chad Keller to Adam Frost: I lied on the love thing...politics ya know.... CK.
- Adam Frost to Chad Keller: I agree with you on the water and the perishables. There is no way people are going to buy the water next year if it stays in the storage shed all year long through the heat and the cold. Come winter, they will freeze and the plastic will split leaving us with a whole lot of nothing, not to mention ruined items from the water. I know I would NOT buy water that had a label from the previous year on it. Again, I agree with you. We got the water at .34 per bottle and had we have sold them at Pride Day, we would have made a lot of money. However, the clubs will not buy them at that price. I can walk over to Fred Meyer and get 12 bottles for $3.00. That is .25 per bottle. The clubs would be doing us a favor by buying them at .50.
- Chad Keller to Adam Frost: . While I respect Darrin’s [Hobbs] idea of saving until next year...Glad to see he is finally thinking long term....several issues come up with the water....one it has a 2002 logo on it...but who am I to say....I said keep it simple...and generic no one listened and it wasn't brought to the board for approval of course a lot wasn't brought to the board....I for one know how finicky the Utah gay people are and last years water will not fly.... And these dreams of 12.00 to 15.00 per case...are a hahahahahahahah....the clubs max pay 11.00 from their distributors....10.00 is the most we will get which is not bad considering they were 8.16 per case...and that is almost a 2.00 per case profit....perishables are a bitch to unload....and there was not a lot of common sense in the logo issue....of course this wouldn't be a problem if God would have cooperated and gave us 95 degree weather....I would rather break even on it and get the money back in the bank, promote the organization, and keep us out there...
2005 Utahn with HIV open about
condition By Carey Hamilton The Salt Lake Tribune
Revealing he was gay to his
family was difficult for David Ferguson, but not nearly as tough as telling his
sisters and parents seven years ago that he was HIV-positive. Now 43, Ferguson said his family
was upset but supportive. "When I told my mom I was [HIV] positive,
sitting in her family room in Murray ,
she said, 'You promised when you came out that this would never happen.' "
Now, he is one of more than 1 million Americans believed to be living with the
virus that causes AIDS. In Utah ,
officials estimate 1,889 people are living with HIV or AIDS. Most are gay men.
Formerly employed in the insurance industry, Ferguson is now programming director for the
Utah AIDS Foundation, responsible for prevention, education and client service
programs with a staff of six. He believes the numbers of people contracting HIV
are rising because many are still unaware of, or are in denial about, the
dangers. "Even in the at-risk population, there's still a lot of
ignorance," he said. "That's why I'm always open about being [HIV]
positive, to help educate people." And he agrees with critics who say the
federal government's efforts have fallen short. "Of course the government
should be doing more, too, as far as prevention," he said. At the time Ferguson tested positive,
he was single, 36, and admits he had not always practiced safe sex. He had
begun volunteering for the Utah AIDS Foundation when he was 25, and had seen
many sick clients and some friends contract the virus. He began taking
antiretroviral drugs, anywhere from three to five pills a day, at a cost of
about $1,500 a month. "I've been off the meds for two years after taking
them for four years," he said. "I went on a drug holiday because the
drugs are really toxic and require your liver to do a lot of work." He
expects to start taking the drugs again in the future. He works out at a gym,
runs and hasn't experienced any major illnesses since learning about his
diagnosis. At first, he thought his relationship life was over. But then he met
someone who was HIV-negative, and they stayed together for five years,
practicing safe sex. "I think what HIV does, especially when the partners
are of opposite status, is one of two things: It can be a barrier or a catalyst
to really learning to communicate well," he said. He knows from talking to
other gay Utah
men, in person or in Internet chat rooms, that other families and friends have
been less understanding than his own. "They tell me it's hard enough to be
gay in Salt Lake City ,
but to be [HIV] positive here, you're further shunned."
chamilton@sltrib.com
2005 On June 14, Salt Lake City Council members Eric Jergensen and Jill Remington Love propose and sponsor a bill to the city Council which would amend the city Code by authorizing a city Human Rights Commission. Council members vote unanimously for the bill, and it is adopted. The commission is appointed.On July 1, Salt Lake County Mayor Peter M. Corroon proposes and authorizes a county Council on Diversity Affairs. The council is appointed.On July 12, Salt Lake County Council members Jenny Wilson and Joe Hatch propose and sponsor a bill to the county Council which would amend the county Code of Ordinances by providing healthinsurance benefits to the domestic partners of county-government employees. Council members vote 54 against the bill, and it isn't adopted.
 |
| David Ferguson |
2005 On June 14, Salt Lake City Council members Eric Jergensen and Jill Remington Love propose and sponsor a bill to the city Council which would amend the city Code by authorizing a city Human Rights Commission. Council members vote unanimously for the bill, and it is adopted. The commission is appointed.On July 1, Salt Lake County Mayor Peter M. Corroon proposes and authorizes a county Council on Diversity Affairs. The council is appointed.On July 12, Salt Lake County Council members Jenny Wilson and Joe Hatch propose and sponsor a bill to the county Council which would amend the county Code of Ordinances by providing healthinsurance benefits to the domestic partners of county-government employees. Council members vote 54 against the bill, and it isn't adopted.
 |
| Peter Brownstein |
2013 Boy
Scout leaders chastised for marching in Utah Pride Parade Scouting • GSL
Council chief says they advanced "gay agenda" and had been warned not
to wear uniforms By Ray Parker The Salt Lake Tribune Two weeks ago, Boy Scout leaders
Peter Brownstein, Neil Whitaker and a handful of Scouts marched in the Utah
Pride Parade, celebrating the organization's historic May vote to allow gay
youths. This week, officials with the Great Salt Lake Council called the two
men in, pointed out a photo published by The Salt Lake Tribune showing Whitaker
at the parade and told them both to sign an apology for "violation of
(Boys Scouts of America) policies and disobedience." Leaders cited BSA
policy that prohibits using Scouting to promote a political agenda. Whitaker and others said they were not
advancing a "political" agenda but celebrating a "cultural"
event, not unlike the Days of '47 Parade that honors Utah pioneers annually on
July 24 and often includes Boy Scouts in uniform. "We weren't rallying for
a politician or political event," Whitaker said. "To me, it was being
supportive of my fellow human beings." The men refused to sign the apology
letter, which warned them a similar future offense could lead to the revocation
of their Scouting membership. Whitaker and others wore their Boy Scout
uniforms, which Rick Barnes, Scout executive of the council, had warned them
would be in violation of BSA policy. "We were very disappointed that you
used Scouting to advance the gay agenda at the Utah Pride Parade on Sunday in
Salt Lake City," Barnes and Council President Bry Davis wrote to
Brownstein. Brownstein, who was not in the photo, had marched but did not wear
his uniform. Barnes and Davis apparently assumed he had worn it. "It has
always been BSA's policy that no person, youth or adult may use Scouting to
promote sexual orientation or any other political or social agenda," the
letter said. "You and others are welcome to participate
in the parade as
supportive citizens but not as uniformed members of the BSA." Barnes
declined to be interviewed, saying he had made his points in the letter. Valerie
Larabee, executive director of Utah Pride Center, which organizes the parade,
criticized the council's reaction in a statement. "Like the Days of '47
Parade, which commemorates the journey and struggle of Mormons as they arrived
from across the Plains so many years ago, the Utah Pride Festival commemorates
the journey and progress of the LGBTQ [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,
questioning] community, a community that has also endured a long history of
being marginalized, victimized and oppressed," she said. "Any
discipline or questioning of members of the Scouting family who participated in
our procession as a member of our color guard, a unit carrying our nation's flag,
would be deplorable." Brownstein, a longtime Scout leader, agreed. "The
essence of the (Pride) parade, widely considered a cultural celebration much
like the Days of '47 Parade, promotes acceptance of cultural diversity,"
Brownstein wrote to Davis and Barnes. "Salt Lake County has a policy
similar to that of the BSA in that county agencies are prohibited from
promoting any political agenda." Brownstein
then quoted Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill from a June 12 Tribune
story. "Our initial take is that it is not a partisan event and does not
constitute a political agency," Gill said. "County agencies have
participated in multiple events to promote a service and do community
outreach." Deron Smith, national BSA public-relations director, did not
return a call but responded with an email that said, "These individuals
(who wore uniforms in the parade), many of whom are not registered in Scouting,
expressed a personal opinion and do not represent the Boy Scouts of America.
Scouting is taking appropriate steps to respond to this issue." Former
Scoutmaster Dave McGrath, who lives in Idaho Falls, participated in uniform in
the Utah Pride Parade. In early May, the former U.S. Army Ranger passed through
Salt Lake City on his 1,800-mile bicycle trek from Idaho Falls to Irving,
Texas, garnering support for changes to the BSA policies on gay youths and men.
McGrath said he will present the colors, as he did in Utah, on Saturday during
the Boise Pride Festival and Parade. He said he can't understand the BSA
backlash from the Utah parade. "Boy Scouts do political events all the
time, you present the colors and then you get off the stage," McGrath
said. "And that's what we did in the (Utah Pride) parade."
2014 Family Fun Carnival Join Restore Our Humanity and QSalt Lake as we celebrate community, progress, and SUMMER! Everyone is welcome, gay and straight alike. Bring the kids, bring the neighbors, it's the perfect time of year for outdoor games, food and entertainment! The event is open to all, but we do suggest a $10 for singles or $20 donation per family to assist with costs. In the Parley's Creek Pavilion at Sugar House Park, join us for: Live local bands • “Sexy singles auction” with local LGBTQ and straight personalities • Newlyweds game with straight, gay, and lesbian couples • Three-legged racing with prizes • Fun in the sun volleyball • Face painting • Dunk tank, with dunkee auction • Bounce house play zone • BBQ • Cotton candy, snow cones, and soft drinks • AND MUCH MORE FUN! The event will feature guest speaker and emcee Jackson Carter of “Biggest Loser” season 14, and the newly weds game hosted by radio personality Doug Fabrizio! Brought to you by Restore Our Humanity and QSalt Lake. Some prizes and events sponsored by local business and non-profit partners: Diversity Tavern Alliance, Equality Utah, Utah Pride Center, Pflag Slc, OUTreach Resource Centers Diversity Tavern Alliance sponsors: Zest Kitchen & Bar, Beer Bar, Garage On Beck, Piper Down an Olde World Pub, JAM SLC, Tap Room, Bar X, and Club Try-Angles
2014 Human Rights Coalition held A Gala called Design of A Decade. at the Grand America Hotel. Single ticket was $200. The man responsible for slingin’
those slick equals sign stickers seen from South Temple to Sugar House? His
name is Mr. Bruce Bastian, and he’s one of the splendid sparks that lit up the
HRC in SLC. Bruce visited his first HRC National Dinner in DC over a decade
ago, where he quickly fell head over heels with the outpouring of LGBT support.
He was so smitten, he snapped up his campaigning hat and pledged to be a part
of it--and he’s been seated squarely on the HRC Board of Directors ever since. As
one of the most anticipated events on the LGBT calendar, the HRC Utah Gala
Dinner comes from humble beginnings. The yearly event--which began,
essentially, as a house party--[don’t worry; Bruce’ll explain below] is now
“the largest fundraising event in the State benefitting the LGBT community
specifically”. She’s come a long way from her awkward phase; this year’s fete
boasts SLC’s fave, Ty Burrell, as the Ally for Equality Honoree, and his Modern
Family co-star Jesse Tyler Ferguson as presenter, to boot. The Gala, according
to Dustin Schrecengost [a Dinner Committee Co-Chair ], “gives us all the
opportunity to come together and celebrate the many successes that this
movement experiences each year.” Additionally, says he, “HRC plays an integral
role in moving this journey forward through groundbreaking achievements and
important initiatives, and it gives our community the chance to gather for a
memorable evening and reflect on those accomplishments.” As
Utah’s unofficial figurehead of equality, Bruce Bastian is, undoubtedly, a very
busy man, so we were utterly humbled that he took the time to chat a spell with
us about gays, galas, and breaking ground for good. See below, where Bruce
--with the handsome likes of Dustin and Sean MéHew [also Dinner Committee
Co-Chair]--took a little time from planning the 10th Annual HRC Utah Gala
Dinner--to give us the dish. The tasty cause pops off this Saturday, June 14th,
and you can guarantee that we'll have a COLLECTIVE presence. Near and dear,
friends...near and dear. Visit the website and link below to get more
information, and most importantly, to snatch up your tickets for dinner, a
silent auction, music, drinks, and a lesson in modern family. 10th
Annual HRC Utah Gala Dinner | Saturday, June 14th, 6:00pm | Grand America
Hotel, 555 South Main, SLC | HRC
Where do your ties to the HRC begin? How did this relationship develop
from the jump?
- Bruce: My “ties” to HRC started in the early 90s with conversations with the leadership of HRC at that time. Shortly after that I attended my first HRC National Dinner in Washington, DC. WOW! That was probably 12 or 13 years ago now. I was so impressed with the people I met who were members or staff of HRC. I had never witnessed a group of people really fighting for LGBT equality, and I wanted to become more involved. Shortly after, I joined the Board of Directors on the Human Rights Campaign where I am still privileged to serve. I have been deeply involved with HRC since then and have seen the growth in the organization and in the many programs it has to offer the entire LGBT community.
The
HRC was officially born in 1980...when did Salt Lake City become hip to and/or
join the effort?
- Bruce: After I joined the Board of HRC, we were able to get others in the area involved as well, but the membership numbers were small. Ten years ago, we had our first HRC Utah Dinner -- that was the first major exposure most people in Utah had to HRC. In a way, that dinner got people in Utah acquainted with and excited about HRC. That has continued to grow over the last ten years. Today the Human Rights Campaign is known, not only by the LGBT community of Utah, but also by many people as the national voice for LGBT equality.
Our
dear Beehive State seems to have a nationwide stigma of intolerance and general
up-tightedness. Is the chapter membership here aligned with that misconception?
Or do we have a healthy gang of folks equal to the cause that effectively disprove
the naysayers?
- Bruce: As a state, especially if you move away from the safety bubble of Salt Lake City, I believe that stigma is warranted. Many parts of Utah are still very harsh toward our community. The HRC membership in Utah is made up of people from all over the state, but I think most of them are from the Salt Lake valley. I believe the members of HRC who live in Utah see great potential for educating Utahns so that stigma can be broken or proven false. There is, however, a lot of work still to be done. If you get out of Salt Lake City, most LGBT Utahns still feel misunderstood or looked down upon, and even face discrimination sometimes daily. I know I do, and I live in Orem. The programs and work and voice of HRC really help counter the misconceptions that many Utahns still have of who we are.
Bruce:
I understand that you're sort of the Godfather of the Gala in our salty city
[a.k.a. it was your generosity that spawned the first dinner, taking shape in
your own back yard for several years]. Tell us more about that.
- Bruce: When I first thought about having an HRC Utah Gala, my goal was to make it something special and something a lot of people would want to attend. I thought if people weren’t sure about attending an HRC dinner, they might really want to attend a big party at my home. It worked! That first dinner was a huge success as a dinner and also as a moment when many of us felt that, yes, we could do this. We could really build change in Utah. And I believe we have.
Speak
a touch more to the Gala: why is this important to Salt Lake's Chapter, and in
what ways, specifically, does it benefit the cause?
- Dustin: The HRC Utah Gala is important for so many reasons – and I think to each of us it would a variety of different things. Each year, the Gala gives us all the opportunity to come together and celebrate the many successes that this movement experiences each year. HRC plays an integral role in moving this journey forward through groundbreaking achievements and important initiatives and it gives our community the chance to gather for a memorable evening and reflect on those accomplishments. Additionally, the HRC Utah Gala is the largest fundraising event in the State benefitting the LGBT community specifically and through those dollars, HRC has the ability to advocate on behalf of LGBT Americans, mobilize grassroots actions in diverse communities, invest strategically to elect fair-minded individuals to office and educate the public about LGBT issues.
The
LGBTQ community has seen leap-and-bound type progress over the last few years,
from the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell law to marriage equality in 19 US
states. Do you have any favorites...or is that like asking someone to pick
which of their children they love most?
- Bruce: It is hard to choose just one event or one thing that was my favorite because so much of the success we have seen in a short time is a result of many years of hard work with a mix of limited success and disappointment. I think the tide changed, especially in Utah, when Prop 8 passed in California and people in Utah rallied in protest. Suddenly we had thousands in the LGBTQ community and our families and friends saying “No. This is wrong.” I believe that’s when we first felt our unity and our determination to change things. Since then those who oppose our equality have been routinely shown that they are wrong and their arguments are based upon either ignorance or dislike for who we are. Now we win the arguments.
- Dustin: As Bruce said, it’s so difficult to choose just one event – there have been so many huge victories for this movement over the last short period of time. Personally, I would lean towards the Supreme Court decisions in Hollingsworth v. Perry, challenging California’s Prop 8, and Windsor v. U.S., challenging the federal governments ban on recognizing legally married couples. It was incredible to see HRC’s iconic logo turned red for social media and how support for equality went viral across the entire country – still gives me chills to think about the love, support and energy felt nationwide.
- Sean: I would say that all the victories we have experienced recently are important, but it was very exciting that Utah was the first major decision since the Windsor case that starting a synergy that allowed other judges in other states to build upon.
According
to the HRC website, "only one state – North Dakota – has a ban on marriage equality but no
current court case challenging its constitutionality". Do you think this
equality pressure cooker will have an effect on Utah's current marriage
equality case [Kitchen vs. Herbert]?
- Bruce: It is difficult, if not impossible, to know whether public opinion or events around the country affect any single court case. However, every judge who has ruled in this matter has ruled that local and state laws and constitutional amendments that deny marriage equality are not in accordance with the United States Constitution. I believe that does matter. And it’s not just that these laws were found to be unconstitutional. It’s the words the judges are using to explain their decisions. I think it would be difficult at this stage to go against all of those decisions, but you can never tell a judge how to rule. We will have to wait and see what happens with the Kitchen vs. Herbert case.
Our
fave bar owner/actor, Ty Burrell, will be getting the Ally for Equality Award
this year. Can you tell us a little more about that?
- Sean: It’s revolutionary how the Modern Family sitcom, in a completely apolitical way, depicts the characters of Mitch and Cameron as a normal couple – showing viewers that their relationship is not different in any way and they deal with everyday, ordinary circumstances. Ty is a very important part of the cast and he, along with the rest of the cast of Modern Family, have helped ‘normalize’ gay and as a whole, the show has helped positively change American culture and bring about increased acceptance for the gay movement over the past five years. We are excited to honor Ty with the Ally for Equality Award this year for his continued support for the LGBT community and for his role in moving equality and acceptance forward.
Bruce:
this being the 10th Anniversary Dinner and all, how do you feel about passing
the baton to Dustin and Sean, so to speak? Has this been an uphill battle for
all 10, or rather a 10-year practice in gradual fluidity?
- Bruce: The HRC Utah Gala has never been a “battle” at all. It has always been a lot of work and a labor of love, and at the end of every Gala, we all feel exhausted but so happy to have been a part of it. When we moved the dinner from my home in Orem to the Grand America, my role changed a lot. From that time to the present, I have remained involved, but less and less. If you are familiar with any other Galas in any other city, you will know that is normal. We very much have a team now that focuses on the Gala for months in advance. Dustin and Sean are the leaders of that team. They have done a great job this year, and we are anticipating a wonderful, successful dinner.
How
can cityhomeCOLLECTIVE (and other local businesses) help HRC? What sorts of
efforts see the most direct benefits for the HRC and the LGBT cause, in
general?
- Dustin: In addition to jumping online right now and buying a ticket to Saturday’s Gala, businesses can start by becoming more informed. There are so many incredible resources out there to help understand what is going on that will impact the lives of your LGBT loved ones – spend some time educating yourself on the issues. Secondly, show your support. Show your employees, coworkers, patrons and competitors that you are an ally for equality and diversity, and that you value fairness as a practical matter of being simply good for business. Lastly, put your dollars to use. Support an event in your community, or if you can, host one. Help foster your community by letting us bring our members to your business or home, where they can mix and mingle with your network of supporters and together we can talk about what is happening locally, ways to get involved, and the importance of joining this movement.
2018 Freedom Festival denies parade applications of all 5 LGBT groups that applied Move comes a day after Provo added nondiscrimination clause to group's funding agreement by Katie England Daily Herald All five LGBTQ-serving organizations that have applied to enter Provo’s Freedom Festival Parade have been denied, according to Kendall Wilcox, executive
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| Kendall Wilcox |
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